Cali Kid Corals

Metal Halide Ligthing Upgrade on 14g & 34g

Euphyllia

Euphyllia

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I'm thinking I might want to switch out my 34g hood and put in a MH fixture. I want to do the same with my 14g. What are the pros and cons of this and do they make MH fixtures that can adjust to fit a certain range of tank lengths? :)
 
It really depends on what you plan on doing/keeping. I'm a fan of MH due to the look (shimmer lines) and the growth/color of my corals under MH, as well as the flexibility I can have with color.

Yes, you can find fixtures that have adjustable legs that fit different sized aquariums, or you can simply hang a pendant over the tank.

I think you would like the MH over your 34, but it may be overkill when it comes to your 14 unless you go with a 70w, with the 70w you are limited in you bulb choices though.
 
I just talked to my mom about upgrading the lights and she said I can't because with the hoods off the tanks would make the entire house smell really bad. :( |( :tired:
But is is possible I could get some higher wattage bulbs to put in my current fixtures?
 
Topless doesn;t make the house smell bad :p but it does massively increase your evaporation rate. You'll be adding a gallon of water a week to your biocube 14.

As for lighting upgrades, check this out :) It meets both your's and your mom's requirement :)
www.nanocustoms.com

These are kits that require you to access the electrical part of your hood. I'm going to VERY HIGHLY recommend that if you get one of these kits, that you have an adult who is comfortable with basic electronics, do the installation for you :)
 
Depending on where you live, heat may be a big factor as well -Investing in a temperature controller, and a fan for each tank may not be a bad idea.
 
Gomer said:
Topless doesn;t make the house smell bad :p but it does massively increase your evaporation rate. You'll be adding a gallon of water a week to your biocube 14.

As for lighting upgrades, check this out :) It meets both your's and your mom's requirement :)
www.nanocustoms.com

These are kits that require you to access the electrical part of your hood. I'm going to VERY HIGHLY recommend that if you get one of these kits, that you have an adult who is comfortable with basic electronics, do the installation for you :)
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Thanks! I would get the HQI hood upgrades but my mom said it was "too expensive!" :tired:
I'll see if I can change her mind...
 
Will this help my RSM filtration?

http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&siId=3904085&catParentID=48930&scId=48930&ctl_nbr=3684&utm_source=Shopzilla+Bizrate&utm_campaign=Shopzilla+Datafeed&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping

And is a 55w 10,000K & Actinic light the same as the RSM stock lights?
 
Euphyllia said:
Will this help my RSM filtration?

http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&siId=3904085&catParentID=48930&scId=48930&ctl_nbr=3684&utm_source=Shopzilla+Bizrate&utm_campaign=Shopzilla+Datafeed&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping

And is a 55w 10,000K & Actinic light the same as the RSM stock lights?
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The surface skimmer helps quite a bit actually, especially if you're running a skimmer.

IIRC the 55w is stock in the RSM.
 
Does your tank water smell bad now? All my tanks are open tops and they should have no fishy smell in it.....if it does something else is wrong.

You might fing a nice deal on a used setup, they show up from time to time.
 
I've decided that instead of upgrading the MH, I'm going to buy THIS! :D
(I'm serious)

http://cgi.ebay.com/walk-the-ball-in-the-water-Zorb-Zorbing-PVC-1-0-mm_W0QQitemZ120429703707QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0a2b721b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|
 
It takes about 30 minutes to use all the oxygen in a coffin, and you would die from carbon dioxide poisoning before you would use up the oxygen, so I'd say you can last in the giant 7x7ft ball for about 90 minutes before you'd die from carbon dioxide poisoning.
 
that is what I am going to do for my jbj 12g nano so I can put a pendant MH over it and our gobies won't / can't jump out. its just an idea I had. still haven't put it to work. what do u think?
 
you could always get a piece of cardboard place it on top of your tank then cut it the same size of the opening then take it to tap plastics ask them to make the lid the same as the cut out and now you can put what ever you want on top. keeps it clean looking and ur fishies can't jump out. no evaporation either.
 
JRocha said:
that is what I am going to do for my jbj 12g nano so I can put a pendant MH over it and our gobies won't / can't jump out. its just an idea I had. still haven't put it to work. what do u think?
Click to expand...

You will quickly notice how much your tank will start to over heat bu using a MH on a nano with a closed top. Using a screen is much much better IMO/IME.
 
cool. I was trying to tell Euphyllia what he could try to do since his mom said his tank smells bad with the top off. I figure I could just raise the light considering a MH of 150 watts over a 12 gallon nano is a bit overkill IMO. I mean 150 watts is what almost 15 watts per gallon. completely unnecessary. but if he did this over a 29 gallon I think it would be nice so his mom can't say anything.
 
JRocha said:
cool. I was trying to tell Euphyllia what he could try to do since his mom said his tank smells bad with the top off. I figure I could just raise the light considering a MH of 150 watts over a 12 gallon nano is a bit overkill IMO. I mean 150 watts is what almost 15 watts per gallon. completely unnecessary. but if he did this over a 29 gallon I think it would be nice so his mom can't say anything.
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Watts [er gallon in a reef tank is as useful as a another hole in the head. You'll go much further in this hobby when you stop using it :)

It would be the same deal with a 70w MH and heat. Such a small volume of water is highly effected by both the light and ambient room temp.
 
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